In a drive to destroy the independent union established last year byworkers at the giant Haft Tapeh plantation/refining sugar complex insouthern Iran, a court on October 12 sentenced 6 union leaders toimmediate prison terms on charges stemming from October 2007. Threeleaders convicted for their union activity last year for "endangeringnational security" in connection with worker action in 2008 had theirsentences overturned on appeal in September. Two union officers, presidentAli Nejati and communications officer Reza Rakhshan, both of whom facelengthy prison sentences, were still awaiting the outcome of their appealwhen the court in the city of Dezful sentenced the six leaders on thesimilar 2007 charges.

Ghorban Alipour, Feridoun Nikoufard, Jalil Ahmadi, Nejat Dehli and AliNejati were all sentenced to 6 months' immediate imprisonment and 6 monthssuspended sentences over 5 years; during which time they are barred fromunion activity. Mohammmad Heydari Mehr received a 4 month term, 8 monthssuspended. Ali Nejati must serve his suspended sentence as prison time,meaning he faces an immediate one-year prison term. Should he lose hisappeal on the 2008 conviction, his sentence could stretch to over 2 years.

Haft Tapeh workers in recent years have repeatedly had to resort tostrikes and other actions to claim huge wage arrears and protestdeteriorating working conditions. The union was officially founded in June2008 following a 42-day strike to demand long-standing arrears. The HaftTapeh union is an IUF affiliate.

Haft Tapeh president Nejati has been refused work at Haft Tapeh andblacklisted from all work in the region since being released in April froma month in solitary confinement in an intelligence detention center. Theother Haft Tapeh leaders sentence on October 12 have now also been turnedaway from their work and instructed to report to prison.

The regime is clearly determined to crush the union by putting its entireleadership behind bars.

Act Now! - CLICK HERE to send a message to the Iranian state and judicialauthorities, calling on them to immediately and unconditionally annul thesentences against the Haft Tapeh unionists! Please note that some messagesmay bounce back - do not be discouraged! Server overload is a commoncondition in Iran - some messages will get through, making the point thatthe persecuted trade unionists enjoy international support. The Haft Tapehunion leaders are also supported by Amnesty International.

You can also send a message to the Iranian embassy or diplomaticrepresentation in your country - or pay them a visit! A complete list ofembassies/consulates is available here, and you can generally find e-mailaddresses by searching the internet for the individual representation inyour country.